Hundreds of thousands of innocent people have been trafficked into modern slavery in Southeast Asian “scam compounds,” where they face torture, violence, and even death while being forced to perpetrate online fraud schemes.

At a Glance

• UN special rapporteurs have issued an urgent call for action on human trafficking in “scam compounds” across Southeast Asia
• Victims are lured with fake job offers and then forced to commit online fraud under threat of violence
• The crisis affects hundreds of thousands of people in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia
• Compounds operate with impunity due to corruption and collusion with officials
• Current protection measures are inadequate, with victims often criminalized rather than assisted

A Growing Humanitarian Crisis

UN human rights experts have raised the alarm about a severe crisis of human trafficking in Southeast Asia that has trapped hundreds of thousands of victims in so-called “scam compounds.” These facilities, which have proliferated since 2021, operate as criminal enterprises where trafficked individuals are forced to conduct online fraud operations under extreme duress. The problem has escalated dramatically during the pandemic as criminal networks capitalized on increased online activity and economic vulnerability to expand their operations across Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The compounds function as modern-day slavery operations, with victims recruited through deceptive job advertisements promising legitimate employment with good salaries. Once victims arrive, their documents are confiscated, and they discover the grim reality of their situation. They are forced to work long hours conducting various scams targeting victims worldwide, including romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and phishing operations. Those who fail to meet quotas face severe consequences, creating a cycle of abuse that’s difficult to escape.

Brutal Conditions and Limited Escape

The conditions within these compounds represent severe human rights violations. Victims face physical torture, sexual abuse, food deprivation, and constant surveillance. Many are sold between compounds if they fail to generate sufficient profits for their captors. Escape attempts are met with extreme punishment, including beatings, electric shocks, or even death. The compounds are typically located in remote or heavily guarded areas, making escape nearly impossible without external assistance.

What makes dismantling these operations particularly challenging is their ability to relocate quickly when threatened and the apparent collusion with local officials. Criminal networks operate with minimal fear of prosecution, suggesting corruption reaches into law enforcement and government. When raids do occur, compounds often receive advance warning, allowing operators to move victims or bribe their way out of consequences. This protection network has allowed the industry to flourish despite increasing international awareness.

Inadequate Response and Protection Failures

The UN rapporteurs have explicitly criticized current response mechanisms as inadequate. When victims are identified and released, they often face criminalization rather than receiving the support they need. Many are detained for immigration violations or for their involvement in fraudulent activities, despite being victims of trafficking themselves. The situation has been further complicated by recent events, including an earthquake along the Thai-Myanmar border, where many escaped victims have become stranded without proper assistance.

UN experts emphasize two critical principles that should guide responses: non-punishment and non-refoulement. The non-punishment principle prevents victims from being prosecuted for illegal acts they were forced to commit while trafficked. Meanwhile, non-refoulement prohibits returning victims to places where they might face danger, potentially allowing for long-term residence permits. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is reportedly working on guidance for implementing these principles, but progress has been slow compared to the rapid growth of the crisis.

Call for Regional Cooperation

The scale of this crisis demands coordinated international action. UN experts are calling for enhanced regional cooperation to strengthen prevention efforts, improve victim identification and support, and ensure effective prosecution of traffickers. This includes establishing better screening mechanisms at borders, creating safe migration pathways, and implementing stronger legal frameworks that prioritize victim protection over criminalization. Nations must share intelligence about trafficking networks and coordinate law enforcement operations to dismantle these criminal enterprises.

As the crisis continues to grow, there is particular concern about the long-term impact on victims who suffer severe psychological trauma from their experiences. Recovery services are limited, and many victims face stigma upon return to their home countries. The experts stress that comprehensive rehabilitation programs are essential, including medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and economic reintegration services to prevent re-trafficking of vulnerable individuals who may have few options upon release.